A taste of Indiana served up at NCAA Regional baseball games

Posted: May 31, 2023 / 07:34 PM EDT

Updated: Jun 1, 2023 / 09:36 AM EDT

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — When it comes to baseball games, peanuts and cracker jacks come to mind, but as Indiana State prepares to host four of the top college baseball teams in the nation for the NCAA Regional Tournament, they’re planning an extra special Indiana snack, tenderloins.

“We’ve had an incredible spring,” Executive Director of the Terre Haute Convention and Visitor’s Bureau said. “Last year we collected over 2.8 million dollars through the innkeeper’s tax and we’re 30% above that number right now in the first quarter.”

That number will continue to climb as Terre Haute welcomes players and fans to town.

The Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (CVB) and Indiana State split the $50,000 fee to host the tournament. A deal executive director of the CVB, Dave Patterson says is worth it.

“We make that back. Yeah, that’s not a problem. We’d make that deal every day,” Patterson said.

A deal ISU athletic director, Sherard Clinkscales calls a team effort.

“It’s been a team effort. From the CVB with Dave Patterson, our university partners, our athletic department,” Clinkscales said. “We’ve all chipped in to make this a special place for the teams to be a part of and a good time for Terre Haute to showcase what we can do.”

Officials are projecting and preparing for a packed house.

“One of the big things people had questions about was the capacity. So, we’ve gotten some more bleachers down the first base line, we’ll be able to meet the needs of all the people coming into town,” Clinkscales said. “So, we’re good from that standpoint.”

“The seating capacity with the portable bleachers is a little over 2100 and granted we’re smaller than most of the regionals,” Patterson explained. “I think what has happened is one, the strength of the program was part of it but also I think they have confidence in our community by the 16 National Championships we’ve done out at cross county.”

Extra preparations don’t stop at additional seats.

“We’re adding some concession stands for people to be able to have their beverage of choice and those types of items,” Clinkscales said. “This year we’re going to have tenderloins so people can get a taste of Indiana. We’ll have extra port-a-potties all around. We’ve increased parking, using the soccer field adjacent to the field here (Bob Warn Field) and it’s free parking for everyone so that’ll be something nice for our visitors.”

Patterson is excited about the incredible spring Terre Haute, and the Wabash Valley has already seen in terms of tourism. With the Special Olympics coming up next weekend, Patter said there is much to look forward to.

“I think you’re going to see a lot of good things on the horizon. We’ve grown every year but the pandemic for 29 years. I don’t see that slowing down anytime soon. And as we add venues and different things that add to our capability, the convention center’s proof of that already. The food and beverage tax is going to be four times what it was initially projected. We’re going to have a record year in terms of our collections. So, tourism is alive and well in Terre Haute,” Patterson said.

Indiana State is ready to make history this weekend as they host Iowa, North Carolina and Wright State. The Sycamore’s open play Friday at 1:00 PM when they take on Wright State. Iowa and North Carolina play Friday at 7:00 PM. All tickets for the games will be digital and sold online.

Terre Haute Regional Schedule
Thursday, June 1st – Practice Schedule at Bob Warn Field (Open to Fans)